'If you focus on what you have left behind, you will never be able to see what lies ahead.'

Friday, October 6, 2017

This Mental Health Week, Learn How To Tame Your Mind

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It happens so quietly
that you cannot prepare for it, and before you know, you are enveloped in its
grip so tight that escaping seems impossible. So what does one do? Does one sit
in a corner with the head bowed, eyes shut, and arms tightly wrapped, waiting
for it to leave, or does one stand up and fight?

Battling with
anxiety, stress, and depression can be hard, but it is not impossible. With a
little care, awareness, and self love, you can manage, if not overcome, the
perpetual feeling of despair. How do I know? Well, I do it every day.

Stress, anxiety and depression are the three demons of
modern times trapping more and more people in their clutches every passing day.
National Institute of Mental Health describes depression as "a common but
serious mood disorder that causes severe symptoms that affect how you feel,
think, and handle daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or working".
According to a WHO report almost 36% of people in India suffer from some form
of depression, most of them young and at the peak of their lives.

Here are some things
that really work.

1. Accept.

Acceptance is the
beginning of healing. You can, of course, ask 'why me?' or gloat in self pity,
or you can take it in your stride and move ahead. Mental disturbances are no
more than physical disorders. They are often caused by chemical imbalance in
the brain, or external triggers just like physical disorders, and just like
physical disorder, they can happen to any of us -- some are affected more than
the others, and some deal with them better than others. Accepting it makes a
whole lot of difference. So breathe deep, smile wide, and embrace yourself
wholeheartedly.

2. Share.

Having someone who
understands makes a lot of difference. If you are not comfortable sharing your
feelings with immediate family, spouse, or even close friends, reach out to a
support group. There are numerous mental well-being communities worldwide that
extend help and support. Look them up online, connect with them on social
media, or be an active physical member, the choice is yours. Knowing you are
not alone always makes you feel better and more confident.

3. Identify Your Triggers.

Most episodes of extreme
stress, anxiety, and deep depression are followed by a trigger. The trigger
could be an intangible feeling or fear, or a more concrete situation. Is it
fatigue, or feeling out of control that does it for you? Or is it coming face
to face with an unpleasant situation or person that pushes the wrong buttons?
Recognizing what triggers the discomfort and despair helps not only dealing
with them better, but also preventing the feeling to a large extent.

It feels
good when people understand you. Or at least try to. When they trust you and
believe you. When instead of doling out advice, they listen. Sometimes all you
need is someone to talk to without the fear of judgment.

4. Pursue A Hobby.

Doing what you love
doing is a great and easy way to feel good. Investing time in yourself is
proven to make you feel more positive and happier. Recall a long forgotten
passion and revive it. Music, arts, dancing, gardening, philately, travel,
writing, poetry, pottery -- all of them are ways of healing and feeling
positive. Join online and offline communities and connect with people who share
your love. Creating something new, even as an ametuear, gives you a feeling of
accomplishment which goes a long way in ensuring metal well being.

5. Walk. Run. Work-out.

Picking yourself up
and stepping out for a run is the last thing you'd want to do on a bad day, but
trust me, once you have overcome that hurdle, rest will be much easier. Studies
have shown that physical activity helps the body produce endorphins, hormones
that promote feeling of happiness and euphoria. According to NCBI
"Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and
negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function." If
running or working out seems impossible, just step out for a walk in the park
-- looking at the green grass and blue sky will do you more good that you can
imagine.

6. Love Yourself. Unconditionally.

We live in times
where loving ourselves is not the easiest thing to do. The perfection portrayed
in the media, films, and social media makes it even more difficult to
appreciate our imperfections and flaws. The trick is to understand that what is
portrayed is not always complete, and that perfection may not always be
possible. Knowing our limitations and capabilities helps us appreciate the
flaws in others too. Love yourself unconditionally no matter what and the rest
will follow.

Note: While these are ways and methods
to manage your condition, the importance of professional help cannot, and
should not, be ruled out. Seeking medical attention, or help from mental health
practitioners -- counselors, psychiatrist, phycologists -- is important to
ensure you feel and perform at your best.